"India Will Lead The Way..." :PM Modi Interacts With Bill Gates (image-twitter/BJP4India)In the wake of the Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Thursday. Both leaders discussed a wide range of topics, from Artificial Intelligence to climate mitigation and women’s empowerment. PM Modi, during his meeting, highlighting the significance of AI in modern times said jokingly that kids in India have become so advanced that they are saying ‘AI’ as their first word. “In India, we call mother ‘aai’ in most of the states and now some advanced kids are saying AI as their first word…it’s a joke but aai and AI sound similar’, he said.
He then emphasised the role of AI in the lives of common men in India and said that he resorted to AI for language interpretation during G20 summit. The drivers too during the G20 summit used an AI app to interact with the guests who came to India to attend the summit, Modi said.
The conversation further delved into India’s strategic focus on AI. Modi talked about the recent approval of the comprehensive IndiaAI mission with substantial budget allocation. The mission is implemented with the aim of fostering a robust AI ecosystem through strategic partnerships and initiatives across sectors, driving innovation and inclusive development.
Prime minister Narendra Modi also highlighted initiatives aimed at empowering women, citing the transformative Namo Drone Didi program, which equips women with drone piloting skills and thereby fostering economic independence and rural development.
While discussing the drastic effect of climate change, Narendra Modi showcased a jacket made from recycled materials symbolising India’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. His discussion included India’s ambitious climate commitments including the ‘Panchamrit’ which was pledged during the G20 summit.
“During the G20 summit in Indonesia, representatives from around the world expressed their curiosity about the digital revolution in the country. I explained to them that we have democratized technology to prevent monopoly”, he said.
Bill Gates appreciated India’s leadership in adopting and advancing technology, particularly in governance.
However, while discussing all the positive aspects, Modi also raised concerns regarding the misuse of AI, particularly in generating deepfake content. Bill Gates too acknowledged the issue and expressed optimism about its potential for positive impact.
In the interview, to a query from Bill Gates, Modi said that he is fascinated by technology but is not a slave to it. “I am not an expert but have childlike curiosity for technology,” the PM said.